No Escape From My Grasp

There was no way they could slip from my grasp.

Honestly, if I manipulated their personalities, I could treat them like slaves however I wanted. But unfortunately, these three women possessed stronger abilities, higher potential, and greater talent than anyone else. To make use of those abilities, I first needed to completely break their bodies and minds until they became perfect slaves. And right now, we were in the middle of that arduous process.

Of course, Liris had been relatively favorable toward me. She recognized her mistakes and was reflecting on them. Even taking that into consideration, if these three women had admitted their wrongdoing and shown remorse? I would have kept them as my slaves and companions for about a year before granting them freedom afterward. But they ignored that kindness and revealed their rude true natures, so the outcome was obvious.

Slaves. I planned to mentally torment them until they were completely broken and make them regret it for the rest of their lives. They would become slaves who would be forced—half against their will—to serve me for the rest of their days.

I reported the whereabouts of the three slaves to the knight guarding the great city. Naturally, the three women were immediately arrested because of the report filed at the inspection office. Since I was the one who reported them, I received a modest reward. At the same time, I accompanied the knight to the courthouse to provide testimony.

"Thank you for your hard work. Here's some cool coffee."

The incredibly curvaceous female knight handed me a cup of coffee. Then she narrowed her eyes at Liris, who stood politely beside me.

"She's my slave. A self-centered woman who received education alongside me at the academy. She's a slave who will become a hunter in the future."

"Ah, I see~"

When I defended Liris, the female knight nodded and even offered her a cup of cool coffee. No matter how much society favored men over women, this was clear proof that women with abilities received far better treatment than those without.

"Originally, women without abilities are conscripted at a certain age and must fulfill their duty. However, these women claim they once had abilities and have requested a simplified trial with you present for a three-way confrontation."

"Ah! Understood. I have no complaints about receiving the reporting reward. As a loyal citizen who fulfills my obligations to the empire, I naturally have to attend."

Since I already knew everything, I only half-listened to the female knight while secretly examining her stats. As expected of a knight responsible for the city's security, her abilities were low. Slightly lower than Arona, who had the lowest stats among Kate, Arona, Becky, and Liris. That alone proved just how exceptional the four women's abilities and potential were.

I already had every plan in my head for how to completely break those bitches.

"As expected, a man loyal to the empire is different. Very well. Please follow me."

Once I finished my coffee, she seemed to take a liking to me and gave my shoulder a light smack before gesturing for me to follow. With coffee in one hand and Liris's hand tightly held in the other, I walked down a corridor that carried a bleak atmosphere. After passing through a door, we entered a space that felt like a courtroom. When the massive doors on both sides were opened for us, the judge's bench came into view.

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At the highest seat sat a male judge around thirty years old, staring at me with a stern expression. Right below him, the clerk recording everything was completely absorbed in fiddling with parchment and a crystal orb. To the left of the judge and clerk, where desks and chairs were arranged, stood the three slaves bound in ropes.

Kate glared at me with burning eyes. Arona looked anxious, busy reading the room. Becky narrowed her brows and glared at me. Regardless, I took my place on the right side under the female knight's guidance, with Liris sticking close beside me.

This was the place where minor issues in the city were handled directly with immediate judgment. As soon as Liris and I stood in position, the simplified trial began.

The judge looked toward me and Liris as he spoke. It was clear from his demeanor that he wanted to wrap up this simplified trial as quickly as possible.

Well, he's probably seen plenty of cases like this. He'll just assume these women are desperately lying to avoid conscription.

I organized my thoughts internally before opening my mouth.

"Your Honor, may I speak?"

"Go ahead."

"Yes. That's correct. Kate, Arona, and Becky are indeed ability users. They once worked with me in the past."

At those words, both the judge and the female knight who had escorted me here showed subtle changes in their expressions.

"However! I have heard that they currently have no abilities. In that case, doesn't that ultimately mean they have no powers? According to the Empire's strict laws, women without abilities must serve according to the imperial conscription order. The only exceptions are a man's slaves, women who possess abilities, or daughters of noble families who have made special contributions. That's all."

I deliberately emphasized the words man's slaves. When I glanced at the three slaves' reactions, it looked like they had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠something they wanted to say. But they seemed to know that causing a scene here would only make things worse for them, so they held it in. Especially Kate.

"If they have abilities, they should naturally be treated accordingly. If not, they must obediently accept the Empire's duty. Isn't that the role of a citizen loyal to the Empire?"

When I said that, the judge raised the corners of his mouth and nodded.

"Then I ask the criminals. You used abilities in the past, but have now lost them. Is that correct?"

At that question, all three slaves glared at me. To anyone listening, these three were clearly criminals. Criminals who had tried to evade the Empire's laws, no less. So what could they do about it?

Right now, I had nothing to fear. On the other hand, these three slaves were facing the greatest crisis of their lives.

"Why do the criminals not answer?"

"Y-yes... that's correct."

Kate spoke for them, forcing the words out with difficulty. Her attitude showed she hated admitting it, but she had no choice but to answer.

"Then isn't it common sense to obediently follow the Empire's laws? There have been cases of people losing their abilities before. In those instances, when they voluntarily reported to the Empire, they were treated with comfort and encouragement. But these criminals made a foolish choice."

At the judge's harsh truth and rebuke, the three slaves tried to say something, but the judge did not grant them the right to speak.

"Even after reviewing past rulings and precedents, the fact that they committed a crime does not change. They had abilities in the past but have none now. In such cases, they must naturally answer the Empire's call. However, these three women tried to abandon that duty. This is clearly guilty. The three criminals will be sentenced to three years of hard labor on the front lines."

The front lines. The Empire's outermost territory, the zone guarding against other races. Although there was currently a ceasefire with the other races, no one knew when or how war might break out again. For that reason, it was the place women without abilities least wanted to be sent—the number one destination for conscription. But that very place also contained precious mines full of gold, magic stones, and various jewels... which meant it desperately needed large numbers of penal laborers and troops. I'd heard that recently even more troops were being sent there.

Anyway, now that they were being sent to such a place, the three slaves' faces crumpled in despair.

"Before delivering the final verdict, I ask one last time. Do the plaintiff or witnesses have any final statements?"

Since it was a simplified trial, the verdict came quickly. Of course, that also meant the three slaves' guilt was undeniable. But if I let them be sent to the front lines now, my original plan would completely fall apart. So far everything had gone according to plan. Now, for the final hurdle, I needed to change the appropriate verdict the judge had in mind.

"Your Honor! That is truly a firm and clear judgment. However, those women were slaves I purchased at the slave market."

I briefly explained the three slaves' past to the judge. How they had traveled and adventured with me. What happened after they abandoned me, and what our current relationship was. When I mentioned how they had betrayed me and switched to another man, the judge's eyes sharpened. That gaze turned toward the three slaves, and fearing an even harsher verdict, they lowered their heads and avoided his eyes.

"They are clearly women who possess abilities. I am an imperial citizen and a man with non-combat abilities, but I have worked hard to enter the academy with the goal of becoming a hunter. All to serve the Empire. Wouldn't you give these women the opportunity to become my slaves and strive toward entering the academy?"

At my words, the judge gave me a look that asked why he should do that. The female knight who had guided me also seemed unable to understand why I was saying such things.

"Explain why you had such a thought, witness."

"Even if they had no abilities at all, since they once had them and then lost them, isn't there still a possibility? The Empire's great female warrior, Kalaim. She too suddenly lost her abilities only to manifest them again ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠later. In that process, she awakened tremendous power and left her name in the Empire's history."

Hearing my words, the judge made a contemplative expression.

"Through this upcoming academy exam, I plan to give these women a stimulus. Who knows? They might manifest their abilities anew. Therefore, wouldn't it be better to ask the criminals themselves? Whether they will go to the front lines and perform hard labor! Or become my slaves instead."

Having said that, I looked at the three slaves. They all had dazed eyes.